Abortion vote paves way on House health bill

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: MSNBC

WASHINGTON - Triumphant Democrats steered landmark health care legislation to the brink of passage in the House late Saturday night, spurred by a summons from President Barack Obama to "answer the call of history" and expand coverage to millions who lack it.

The House approved an abortion amendment and rejected a Republican substitute for the legislation, paving the way to final passage.

After months of struggle, Speaker Nancy Pelosi projected confidence and likened the bill to the creation of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare 30 years later.

"It provides coverage for 96 percent of Americans. It offers everyone, regardless of health or income, the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will have access to affordable health care when they need it," said Rep. John Dingell, the 83-year-old Michigan lawmaker who has introduced national health insurance in every Congress since succeeding his father in 1955.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33748707/ns/politics-health... /

[saracat]

1. Yeah Rep Dingell, health care and peace of mind for all except

for pregnant women who need abortions and all those others who fall between the cracks.

[glinda]

6. There can and should be tweaks on that one. But bless Dingle's heart. This must

have been an increadable moment for him.

[madfloridian]

2. Triumphant Democrats use women as scapegoats.

When they never had to allow the amendment on the floor.

[saracat]

3. +1 million.

[joeycola]

11. Bingo.

[niyad]

4. triumphant democrats sold women out--again. sorry, no cheering here.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. It seems that women's rights have been almost as negotiable for the Dems as they are for the repukes

[Tx4obama]

7. The Senate will toss Stupak amendment out - I betcha it won't be in the final Senate bill. n/t

[saracat]

9. You are aware that Harry Reid is anti choice? And so is Jim Webb?

as well as a host of others. they won't throw it out.

[cornermouse]

10. There is no guarantee the Senate will toss the Stupak amendment out.

When you stop to think about it, this is a tactical victory all the way around for the repub party. Although a minority party, they were able to get an anti-abortion amendment voted on and may very well get it inserted into the law. Via the amendment, they have been able to drive a wedge between the democratic party and a group of its core supporters - those who believe in the right to abortion, in particular, and women's rights in general.

[Betty]

8. does this include abortions needed to save the life of the mother???

it sounds like insurance plans that now would cover abortions will no longer have to do so. They threw women under the bus.

[winyanstaz]

12. yup..women got a big slap in the face with this bill...

But thats alright with a lot of the dems along with the far right.